Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed departments to ensure full utilisation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) funds and begin spending from the first quarter itself.

Reviewing the implementation of Central schemes during the 7th District Collectors’ Conference at the Secretariat on Friday, Mr. Naidu said there should be no compromise in utilisation of Central allocations, and asked departments to spend an average of ₹8,000 crore every quarter and aggressively pursue additional assistance from the Union government.

He also instructed officials to secure the entire quantum of funds due to the Health Department and seek viability gap funding (VGF) support from NITI Aayog for PPP infrastructure projects.

Presenting a detailed review, Finance Secretary D. Ronald Rose said the State received ₹11,465 crore out of the ₹15,031 crore allocated under 79 Central schemes for 2025-26 and successfully utilised ₹9,980 crore. However, nearly ₹5,051 crore lapsed due to revised estimates, delayed releases, under-utilisation and rejection of bills.

The Law Department, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, and Higher Education Department recorded strong performance with minimal lapses in fund utilisation, he said, and also flagged unspent balances of ₹438 crore lying in Single Nodal Agency (SNA) accounts, particularly under PM Awas Yojana, PM Poshan and Anganwadi programmes, and directed officials to expedite utilisation.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema and West Godavari districts recorded 99% utilisation, while Srikakulam and Palnadu achieved 98%. He flagged pending balances in SNA accounts and rejected SPARSH portal bills worth ₹828 crore, directing departments to secure fresh “mother sanctions” from the Centre.

For 2026-27, the State expects to mobilise ₹26,020 crore under various Central schemes, with sanctions for ₹ 3,609 crore already received, he added.